Summary of Specifications:
PROPOSED SOLE SOURCE AWARD TO BIKUR CHOLIM, INC. TO PROVIDE FAMILY SERVICES LIAISON SERVICES IN ROCKLAND COUNTY - $58,440 The County of Rockland is considering the issuance of a Sole Source award to Bikur Cholim, Inc. for the provision of Family Services Liaison Services to residents of Rockland County. This award may be made on a sole source basis in accordance with the Rockland County Procurement Policy. The contract fills a need for: • Family Liaison Services in collaboration with Rockland County Department of Social Services (RCDSS) Child Welfare Casework staff in Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. • Provide linkage and connection between Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic families needing support and advocacy and RCDSS Child Welfare services. • Collaborate with RCDSS Child Welfare services to facilitate ongoing intervention with at-risk families in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. • Collaborate to build more open, trusting relationships between Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic families and RCDSS Child Welfare Services. • Convey information and communication between RCDSS Child Welfare services, the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community, and families in need of intervention. • Collaborate with RCDSS Child Welfare Supervisors and staff to provide cross-training about understanding and working with Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic families, as well as information about services provided by RCDSS services, eligibility programs, and system mandates and protocols. • Increase outreach to families and provide education in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community by partnering with RCDSS Child Welfare services to disseminate information regarding RCDSS services including but not limited to family safety planning, individual and family counseling, case management, advocacy, etc.. • Partner with the RCDSS School Liaison and STEPS Unit staff to identify needs and collaborate to prevent family situations in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community escalating, thereby avoiding the need for calls to the State Central Registry. • Demonstrated Successful Experience providing the above services to families in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. Required Qualifications • Family Liaison Services to be provided by an individual with the following qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree that included or was supplemented with at least 18 credits in social work, psychology, or comparable curriculum; or Bachelor’s Degree and one (1) year of social casework experience with an agency adhering to acceptable standards, and/or counseling experience; or Master’s Degree in social work. Demonstrated knowledge, understanding and experience working with families in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. Sensitivity to cultural needs of the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. Be familiar with and have access to Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community leadership and systems. Be familiar with and have access to Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic education community. Be familiar with and have access to clinical professionals working in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. Be familiar with and understand Department of Social Services Child Welfare regulations. Program Goals and Services include, but are not limited to: • Strengthen and expand already existing successful collaboration between RCDSS/CPS/FAR and Bikur Cholim’s Community Support Liaison. • Transition appropriate cases handled by the existing collaboration between RCDSS/CPS/FAR and Bikur Cholim’s Community Support Liaison to ongoing intervention and services through the Family Services Liaison program with RCDSS Child Welfare Services. • Work collaboratively with RCDSS to identify and engage an anticipated 30 families in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community with child welfare risk assessment and prevention needs. • Increase the number of certified Foster Families in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community by four (4). • Coordinate four (4) quarterly meetings for RCDSS staff to cross-train with Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community leaders, school personnel and/or service providers. • Co-facilitate two (2) cross-trainings with RCDSS Child Welfare staff and Bikur Cholim staff. • Co-facilitate one (1) cross-training with RCDSS Adult Services/Protective Services for Adults staff and Bikur Cholim staff. • Coordinate a minimum of one (1) training by RCDSS Child Welfare staff at a meeting of School Principals in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. • Coordinate a minimum of one (1) training by RCDSS Child Welfare staff at a meeting of Rabbis in the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. • Coordinate a minimum of one (1) training by RCDSS Adult Services/Protective Services for Adults staff for Bikur Cholim staff. • Coordinate two (2) trainings by RCDSS Child Welfare staff and Adult Services/Protective Services for Adults staff for EMS staff serving the Ultra-Orthodox and Hasidic community. • Demonstrated Successful Experience providing the above services to eligible individuals and families *Minimum number to be served in 2016 This notice is issued for informational purposes only and is NOT a request for competitive quotes. Any non-profit agency that believes they are qualified to provide the services detailed above and is ready, willing and able to provide the services; shall respond to this notice no later than 3 PM on March 24, 2016 (14 days after advertisement) of this announcement. The response should provide specific details regarding the agency’s interest in providing such services as well as their prior experience in providing the same or similar services. In addition, the response should detail the agency’s connections to the Rockland County community. Responses to this notice must be sent via facsimile to 845-364-3809 or email to purchasing@co.rockland.ny.us. NO PHONE CALLS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Organizations submitting a proposal must meet the following requirements: • Experienced in providing the same or equivalent services • Be a 501 (c)3 • Be located in Rockland County • Be a New York State licensed clinic • Evidence of Family Services Liaison’s criminal background history, State Central Registry, State Justice Center (VPCR) and checked references must be provided to RCDSS • Family Services Liaison must possess a valid motor vehicle license or accessibility to transportation to meet field work requirements in a timely and efficient manner. • Be governed by a Board of Directors • Be up-to-date with all IRS filings • Be up-to-date with all NYS filings • Have a 2015 budget with Board approval • Be fiscally sound • Have a Non-discrimination Policy • Have a Conflict of Interest Policy • Maintain program records for the purpose of an audit and provide to the County all program-related information including proprietary materials, upon request • Submit quarterly and year end reports with data to be determined by RCDSS, including attendance lists for each group activity, and log sheets for clients served • Be available for on-site visits, announced and unannounced A determination by the County not to compete the proposed contract is solely within the discretion of the County.
